Premature end to center’s season precluded him from partaking in playoff push
The hardest part for Capitals center Michael Nylander was simply watching.
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He could deal with the serious shoulder injury that he suffered last winter, a torn left rotator cuff. After six weeks playing with little more than one arm it was almost a relief to have surgery to fix the problem on Jan. 16.
But the cost for Nylander was a premature end to his season. And he then spent the next three months watching his teammates craft one of the NHL’s great stories without him — a thrilling 37-17-7 run that led to a Southeast Division title and the club’s first playoff appearance since 2003.
Nylander, who turned 36 on Friday, signed with Washington as a free agent in July of 2007 specifically because he saw the potential of a young team that could quickly grow into a Stanley Cup contender. Now, after waiting all summer to get back on the ice full time, the Swedish center is ready to take his place in the lineup. He will likely be the center on a third line that should have plenty of offensive potential.
“I didn’t play for such a long time. You’ve got to put in the same work you’ve done in the past and then a little bit more,” said Nylander, who was originally injured taking a faceoff Dec. 1 against the Florida Panthers. “The first week or so and the first scrimmages and the first full contact with the guys is different. But that’s what I had been missing for so long. It’s just fun to be playing again and be out there skating, shooting, passing, hitting.”
Because Nylander was fully recovered from his surgery by last May, the Caps have given him ample ice time this preseason to help shake off the rust. He has two goals and three assists in four games.
“It was tough playing for 12, 14 games with this injury. I had no strength in my arm,” Nylander said. “I had a very hard time sleeping, too. But I think it was good that I had the surgery when I did. Right now I feel like I’m coming close to my level of play.”
Capitals notes
» Washington concludes preseason play at 5 p.m. today with a game against the Boston Bruins at Verizon Center.
» Star left wing Alex Ovechkin, last year’s NHL MVP, leads the Caps with four goals and three assists, including a short-handed goal in Friday’s 5-1 win over Philadelphia.
» The Caps haven’t missed a beat since last season’s dramatic finish when they won 11 of their last 12 regular-season games to make the playoffs. Washington is 5-1 this preseason.